In Charge - Gwen Harry

To make a long story short, Gwen Messley Harry became executive director of the Virginia Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians because she was tired of bureaucracy.

"You could say I came into the job by accident," says Harry, who heads the organization's five-person headquarters staff, located in Providence Forge.

After 10 years as a civil servant "filling out forms to fill out forms." Harry went to work as secretary to Dr. Daniel Kinsey, a Norfolk physician who was subsequently elected president of the group. He asked her to do some of the secretarial work for the chapter. When the chapter's board decided to open a full-time office, Harry was asked to become its secretary.

That was in 1979. Since then she's worked her way up to executive director.

The Virginia Chapter, American College Emergency Physicians, conducts continuing education seminars for the 325 emergency medical doctors in the state, publishes a quarterly newsletter and sponsors educational programs in basic trauma life support for rescue squad members.

Family: Husband, Scott, married four years; two dogs and a cat.

Hometown: Born in Beresford, S.D.

What makes me tick: Challenges; I like to do my best.

Motto: Work hard, play hard.

Turning point in my life: Getting this job.

Greatest feat: Working with this organization and helping it grow.

Greatest asset: My strong Scandinavian work ethic.

Worst fear: Not living long enough to do all the things I want to do.

Bad habit: Smoking.

Pet peeve: People who don't follow through on what they say they are going to do.

Hobbies: Working in the yard, water sports, boating, water skiing, snow skiing.